City map Baku

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Baku – a brief overview

Azerbaijan’s capital, the largest city in the Caucasus, is a fascinating if frenetic mix of East and West. Baku’s Old City, an entrancing walled complex of Islamic fortresses, mosques, palaces and courtyards, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Futuristic modern towers, designed by world-leading architects, dominate the skyline however.

Boosted by the most recent oil boom, Baku is a thriving and rejuvenated city, which makes for a rewarding visit. Discover its rich historical heritage, gaze in awe at its extravagant modern monuments, people-watch from a chic street coffee shop, and let rip in a raucous Russian bar.

Top 10 sights in Baku

Museum of Modern Art

This innovative museum displays work by Azeri and international artists from the mid-20th century to the present day. The paintings, sculptures, and design in the labyrinthine galleries are imaginatively arranged, thematically and for contrasting effect.

Juma Mosque

Keshla Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

This is one of Baku’s most impressive mosques, with intricately carved walls and dome. The current building is just over 100 years old but there has been a mosque on this site since the 12th century; the adjoining minaret dates back to the 14th century.

Church of Archangel Michael

Molla Vali Vidadi St Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Opening times: Various

Still used for Russian Orthodox services, this lovely old 19th-century building is elaborately decorated inside with colourful icons and murals, and topped by the classic onion dome.

Martyrs Lane

Mehdi Hüseyn Baku AZ1006 Azerbaijan Show on map

Connected to the city below by funicular train, this hilltop cemetery is a memorial to Azeri war casualties, including victims of the 1990 Soviet army assault. There is also a modern Turkish-style mosque here, and the site offers splendid views of the city and beyond.

Maiden Tower

65 Asaf Zeynalli Street Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Opening times: Daily 1000-1900

This tall and massively built tower is the monumental symbol of Baku. Dating back at least to the 12th century, the tower’s original function is disputed, but the superb views from the top are beyond doubt.

Fantasia Hamam

114 Dilara Aliyeva Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Opening times: Various

The oldest public baths in Baku are a great way to unwind from the traffic chaos outside, with Turkish-style steam baths in private rooms. Treatments available include ‘skin peel’ and massage; there’s also a delightful tea room.

Museum of Literature

Housed in a beautiful old building, with statues of writers inset in its facade, this museum holds a collection of exquisite manuscripts from Azerbaijan, Russia and the Far East. Unfortunately, without any labelling, sometimes it’s impossible to know what you’re looking at.

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Country information

Country overview

Azerbaijan is an Islamic former Soviet Republic on the Caspian Sea, an oil rich and strategically important nation that is the key geopolitical power in the Caucasus.

Geography

Azerbaijan is bordered by the Russian Federation, Georgia, Iran and Armenia. Much of Southwestern Azerbaijan in the ethnically Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh is occupied by Armenian forces following the Armenia-Azerbaijan war (1988-1994).

Azerbaijan also includes the exclave of Nakhchivan, which is located between Turkey, Iran and Armenia.

General knowledge

Key facts

Population: 9590159

Population Density (per sq km): 111

Capital: Baku.

Language

Azeri. Russian is widely spoken; English may be spoken in Baku and other main centres.

Currency

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Public holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.

Note

Holidays falling on the weekend are usually observed the following Monday.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.

Terrace Garden & Q-Bar

Apart from the rooftop views, the food in this international restaurant is delicious and good value.

Sahil

34 Neftçilər prospekti Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Price: Moderate

This chic seafront restaurant specialises in modern Azeri cuisine, with fine wines and cocktails.

Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi

Abdulkarim Alizade str. 16. Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Price: Moderate

Traditional Turkish cuisine is the speciality in this friendly little restaurant.

Adam’s Curries

142A Alovsat Guliyev Street Baku Aserbaidschan Show on map

Price: Cheap

The bustling ambience and spicy dishes draw a loyal clientele to this Indian curry house.

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Calendar of events

Novruz Bayram

21 – March 2019

Venue: Throughout Baku, particularly in the Old Town

Baku’s Old Town is the hub for celebrations welcoming the arrival of spring. Stalls spring up in the streets selling souvenirs and traditional food, and crowds are entertained with live music and dancing. In homes, families bake baklava, shakabura and other pastries, while children share sweets with neighbours.

International Mstislav Rostropovich Music Festival

Born in Baku, Mstislav Rostropovich was a Soviet cellist and conductor. A festival has been held in his honour every year since his death in 2007. Local and international soloists, ensembles and orchestras (including the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra) perform under the artistic direction of the musician’s daughter, Olga Rostropovich.

Gül Bayrami (Flower Festival)

10 May 2019

Venue: Various venues, with the main displays opposite Heydar Aliyev Palace

There are photo ops aplenty during Baku’s annual flower festival, with kaleidoscopic creations blooming in parks, gardens and squares to commemorate the birthday of former president Heydar Aliyev. As well as traditional colourful displays, you can snap floral cartoon characters, animals and famous buildings.

Eid al-Fitr / Ramazan Bayram

4 – 5 June 2019

Venue: Throughout Baku and Azerbaijan.

Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with family gatherings, feast and entertainment. Mosques are packed with praying worshippers, and it’s traditional to donate money or food to charity. Many hotels and restaurants in Baku lay on a special spread for the occasion.

National Salvation Day

15 June 2019

Venue: Concert and fireworks held on Baku Boulevard

Azerbaijanis commemorate the day Heydar Aliyev returned to power in 1993 with a public holiday and plenty of festivities. In Baku, local singers entertain crowds at a large outdoor concert on Baku Boulevard (the seafront promenade), followed by a late-night glittering fireworks display.

National Armed Forces Day

26 Juni 2019

Venue: Baku city centre

Crowds pack the streets to watch the annual huge and spectacular military parade held in honour of Azerbaijan’s armed forces. Members of the army and navy show off their military might first, with a flyover from the air force following.

Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival

September 2019

Venue: Various venues

Famed Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov is remembered throughout the country, and especially in Baku, with a series of concerts, workshops and lectures featuring world-class conductors, orchestras and soloists. The festival usually takes place over 10 days around his birthday on 18 September.

Baku International Jazz Festival

Heydar Aliyev Palace, the State Philharmonic Hall and Baku Jazz Center are among the venues hosting first-rate jazz musicians from at home and abroad. American saxophonist Joshua Redman, jazz composer Marcus Miller and German jazz artist Christoph Cech have all performed in recent years.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

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Hotels in Baku

ListMap

Baku has a growing number of upscale hotels, with the most recent oil boom prompting luxurious new developments.

Prime areas include Nizami Street, and the Bulvar seafront promenade, where you can find the international hotel chains.

Qafqaz Point

Kazimzade St. 118 556. Mh. Baku Azerbaijan

Show on map

Category: Expensive

This exotic, modern hotel is well placed near to the Old City and shopping areas.

Horizon

Mirza Mansur St., 62 Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Category: Moderate

This small, friendly hotel has sea views from some of its spacious rooms and suites.

Teatro Boutique

A. Rajabli Street 1 Baku Azerbaijan Show on map

Category: Moderate

This traditionally furnished hotel has a rooftop restaurant as well as a gym and sauna.

Phone calls & Internet

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Telephone

International calls from Azerbaijan may be dialed directly from Baku and some other towns throughout the country.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly limited to the capital and main towns and is non-existent in many mountain areas.

Internet

Available in all cities and towns.

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Shopping in Baku

Key Areas

Baku’s main shopping districts lie between Nizami (Torgovaya) Street and Fountain Square near the Old City. The pedestrian street is also lined with cafés and restaurants. The Old City’s backstreets are filled with atmospheric (though touristy) bazaar stalls, if you want to pick up a hand-woven kilim-style rug or copper tray.

Markets

There are several daily farmers’ markets, selling fresh as well as dried food, herbs and spices, including the Baki Takhil Bazar, Aliyar Aliyev Street, and 8 Km Bazar, Jamshid Nakhchivanski Street. Seasonal markets take place throughout the year in various locations, including one in the Teze Bazar, Nasimi district.

Shopping Centres

The AF Mall, 34 Samed Vurgun Street, is one of Baku’s newest, with eateries and a rooftop pool in addition to an upmarket selection of boutiques and stores. Opposite the Park Inn Hotel is the Park Bulvar Mall, with a huge range of shops, fast-food outlets, a cinema, bowling alley and planetarium.

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Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

Foreign women should dress modestly, especially in the rural areas, and cultivate a certain coolness of manner. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts as this will attract unwelcome attention. Although mostly Muslim in population, Azerbaijan is a largely secular society that views religion as a private matter. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting.

Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting, and not infrequently on first meeting socially as well. It’s always a good idea to give gifts to people you meet, business contacts. Flowers, post-cards, picture books and alcohol make excellent presents.

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Health

Food & Drink

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Some parts of Baku have their own water supply from natural mineral springs. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Vaccinations against hepatitis B and tuberculosis are sometimes advised. There may be some risk of meningitis, tick-borne encephalitis and leishmaniasis. Rabies is present in some areas. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

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Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.